Political Science Associate Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

How to Apply
Applicants should submit one PDF (500kb size limit) containing the following:

• Cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three references

For full consideration, please submit your materials by October 16, 2026.
Job Summary
The University of Michigan (UM) Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning seeks a tenure-track faculty member at the rank of assistant professor, associate professor, or professor to develop field-defining research and teaching in land use and resilience planning. The successful candidate will join a vibrant and collaborative community of faculty in the Urban and Regional Planning (URP) Program, home to our highly-ranked Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), the Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, and the Bachelor of Science in Urban Technology. URP faculty interests, research methods, and expertise are diverse, and we consider ourselves an innovative, welcoming, and inclusive community.
Research: We seek applicants whose research advances the intersection of land use and climate resilience, with expertise that focuses on the United States and/or a global and comparative lens. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work addresses pressing challenges, including community resilience and sustainability; climate mitigation, vulnerability reduction, or adaptation to a changing climate; disaster preparedness, planning and recovery; indigenous planning; or other land use and resilience-related topics. We welcome applicants whose work examines disparities in exposure to environmental hazards and climate risks, and inequalities in access to environmental benefits and protections. Potential collaborations across campus may include the Graham Sustainability Institute, the School for Environment and Sustainability, School of Public Health, and others.
We are particularly interested in scholars whose research demonstrates strong potential for policy relevance, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration, and we invite diverse methodological approaches.
Teaching: We seek applicants qualified to teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including one or more current or future core MURP offerings and electives that align with the Land Use and Environmental Planning and/or Sustainability, Resilience, Adaptation, and Climate Change focus areas. The standard teaching load at Taubman College is four courses per year, and all teaching will occur in person in Ann Arbor.
Vision and Values: The mission of the Urban and Regional Planning Program is to lead the way for better urban and regional futures. We aim to build knowledge, develop capabilities, and imagine possibilities to cultivate flourishing communities, guided by four core values: justice-driven, environmentally minded, future-focused, and action-oriented.
Required Qualifications*

• Terminal degree (Ph.D. preferred) in urban and regional planning or a related discipline, such as environment and sustainability, geography, indigenous studies, international development, landscape architecture, planning law, public administration, political science, public policy, or sociology.
• Demonstrated experience in, or demonstrated potential to, conduct research in the area of land use and resilience.
• Demonstrated experience in, or demonstrated potential for, excellence in teaching and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students.

Additional Information
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, U-M offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include a retirement plan with two-for-one matching contributions after the first year; many choices for comprehensive health insurance; life insurance; long-term disability coverage; and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses. Learn more about U-M benefits. The university is responsive to the needs of dual career couples .
About Taubman College and the Urban and Regional Planning Program
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning is one of the leading schools of architecture and planning in the United States, offering degree programs in architecture, urban and regional planning, urban design, and urban technology. The college is housed in a recently expanded studio, classroom, and research complex on the University of Michigan's North Campus, alongside design fabrication labs, visualization facilities, and dedicated space for student-led research and collaboration.
The Urban and Regional Planning Program offers a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning, and the Bachelor of Science in Urban Technology. The MURP is consistently ranked among the top planning programs in the country, and the BS in Urban Technology is the first program of its kind in the United States, preparing students to design and govern the data-rich cities of the future. New faculty join a community of approximately 40 URP instructors and 500 students 200 studying real estate with access to the resources of one of the world's preeminent research universities.
About the University of Michigan
Our location offers a rare advantage: faculty and students work at the doorstep of metropolitan Detroit, one of the most distinctive urban landscapes in North America, and within easy reach of Chicago, Toronto and the Great Lakes region. U-M researchers have cultivated a number of unique assets from a longitudinal survey of the state's 1,856 local governments, to zoning databases, to a growing number of Tribal government partnerships that support applied research, partnerships, and project-based learning across a unique rural-urban land use spectrum that few peer programs can match.
For questions about the opportunity, contact Taubman College Human Resources at [email protected] .
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
278295
Working Title
Tenure-Track Professor of Land Use and Resilience (Open Rank)
Job Title
PROFESSOR
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
Coll Arch Urn Pln
Department
Urban Planning
Posting Begin/End Date
6/01/2026 - 10/16/2026
Career Interest
Instructional - Regular